Dear Family at Christ Community,

       On Sunday we will hear Jesus respond to the Sanhedrin’s false humility with the Parable of the Tenants in Mark 12:1-12. His parable summarizes Israel’s rejection of the prophets over the years and culminates with a warning about the Sanhedrin’s opposition to Him as the Beloved Son of God. The Sanhedrin’s opposition to Jesus will set them on a collision course with God’s righteous and just judgment. At the same time, Jesus’s parable highlight’s the Father’s mercy, grace, and love in sending His Son to become the cornerstone of our redemption. Jesus points us to the words of Psalm 118:23 as the most fitting response to so great a display of the Father’s love:

“This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

       As you prepare for the Table, take time this week to ponder the marvelous wonders of the Gospel. Are there ways that the Gospel has grown cold in your heart or stale in your mind? Don’t ignore the state of your heart and mind but rather ask the Holy Spirit to use the ordinary means of the bread and cup to nourish your faith with the body and blood of Jesus Christ given for you. Finally, ask the Father to warm the affections of your heart so that you can feast with joy and say with faith, “This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes!”

Yours in union with Christ,
Matt